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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ®
Leland Hensley
Rawhide Braider

Leland Hensley

Member

About the Artist

Artwork
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Artwork by Leland Hensley

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Necklace and Bracelet set

Rawhide Jewlery

$7,200

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A unique combination of both North and South American influence, this braided rawhide necklace and bracelet set is accented by hand-engraved silver and green gold medallions by Scott Hardy that are suspended within the braided rawhide. Hensley’s use of dark brown and turquoise rawhide strings adds color and contrast to the natural rawhide used for this set.

Additional Images

Necklace and Bracelet set

Bracelet
Necklace and Bracelet set

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Encore 2015

Reins

Rawhide Reins

$11,200

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Hensley constructed this set of closed, or roping, reins utilizing a South American-style braid with large, rugged rawhide string. Smaller and finer dark brown strands have then been braided and sewn to the edges, giving the rider a better feel in their hands while also adding contrast. The reins then transition into a round braid that is adorned with multiple dark brown knots for added balance. Finally, Hensley fashioned the bit connectors from softened rawhide, allowing for quick connections and lasting durability.

Reins

Leland Hensley

Meridian, Texas

Leland Hensley picked up rawhide braiding while attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, in the early 1980s. After graduating, he managed a small Texas ranch and continued to hone his skills at braiding rawhide. Thirty-nine years of braiding rawhide, 16 years as curator for the Trappings of Texas and several trips to Argentina to learn and compare techniques have inspired Hensley’s unique braiding style. His passion for art, Western culture and the horse have driven him to make each braided piece show a higher skill level, and be recognizable from across the room as uniquely his own.